Steelers A to Z: Thomas Graham Jr. looks to earn roster spot in crowded secondary

Editor’s note: From now until the first practice of training camp at Saint Vincent College, TribLive is running through the Pittsburgh Steelers’ 90-man roster, looking at each player and assessing his outlook for the 2024 season. The breakdown will run in alphabetical order with at least two players each day between June 14 and July 25. Contract data courtesy spotrac.com.

CB Thomas Graham Jr.

Experience/age: 4th year/25

Contract status: $985,000 cap hit for 2024 if he makes the team

The past: A sixth-round pick of the Chicago Bears, Graham spent much of his rookie season on the practice squad but made his presence felt in a big way when he was added to the 53-man roster late in the season.

With the Bears’ starting secondary on the covid-19 list, Graham was called up to start against Minnesota. He had seven tackles and three pass breakups in the game, and he finished the season on the active roster.

Graham began the 2022 season on the Bears practice squad, then was signed by the Cleveland Browns. He appeared in seven games and had six tackles in limited playing time.

Graham injured his ankle in the 2023 Hall of Fame game and was placed on injured reserve, causing him to miss the entire season. He signed a reserve/futures contract with the Steelers in January.

9. Thomas Graham Jr. played one game this season for the #Bears.

He already is tied for third-most pass deflections on the team with 3.

Remind us again why he wasn't a better option than Artie Burns or Xavier Crawford? pic.twitter.com/HXr2F5dP5s

— Erik Lambert (@ErikLambert1) December 22, 2021

2024 outlook: Graham, who is 5-foot-11, 197 pounds, showed promise coming out of Oregon in 2021. He appeared in 40 games over three seasons with the Ducks and contributed 183 tackles, eight interceptions and 32 pass breakups. He led the nation in pass breakups before he opted out of his final collegiate season.

It’s clear that Graham has skills that could help him land a roster spot, provided the fit is right and that his injury problems are in the past. Graham, though, will enter training camp as an underdog considering the depth the Steelers have accumulated at cornerback.

The Steelers traded for Donte Jackson to start alongside Joey Porter Jr. Then, Cam Sutton was brought back on a one-year deal. He could compete for the starting job in the slot.

Challenging Graham for a roster spot will be veteran Anthony Averett, second-year corners Cory Trice and Darius Rush and draft pick Ryan Watts. The numbers game also includes Kalon Barnes, Beanie Bishop, Josiah Scott and Grayland Arnold.

Graham’s best chance of earning a roster spot is showing he can play the slot, where he was used in spring workouts. Again, the competition includes Sutton, Scott and Bishop, which means Graham will have to make an immediate impact.